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SI Ma Cat Oma. "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, September 19, 2000 - 15 System needs more than cash, says health minister By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Simply pouring more and more money into the nation's health care system will not fix all its problems, says the federal health minister. Instead, funds passed along to the provinces must be used appropriately, and in a fair man- ner, said Allan Rock, who attend- ed the Durham Federal Liberal Association's annual picnic Saturday in Orono. Only a few days after signing a historic health care agreement with all the provinces - which included a federal pledge to add more than $23 billion to the national medicare system over the next five years - Mr. Rock told the local Liberals that money won't be the solution to all the system's problems. "I'm delighted with the deal we have," Mr. Rock told about 100 Grit supporters in atten- dance at the Orono fairgrounds. "But it's' not just money needed to fix the problems with medicare. We needed a plan, we need to know where the money is going, and what changes are being made. "But, now, we do have a plan. Last Monday (Sept. |1) all of (the provinces) all came to agree- ment with a plan, which is a statement to the future of medicare in this country. All the provinces are committed." The pact between the feds and the provinces pinpointed seven items which needed to be addressed, said Mr. Rock. Foremost among them will be accountability, he said: "We need to be accountable to the taxpayers of this country. They need to know what we are doing with the public's money, and that we're all working together for the better of the medicare system." Health spending in each province will be tracked for the next two years, with a compre- hensive review to follow. "This way we will see how health care is being delivered; where the money's going and if there are any problems," said Mr. Rock. Other highlights of last week's deal include: a A $1 billion advance to the provinces for the purchase of new equipment, of which Ontario is slated to receive $400 million; Q Primary health care reform, in an effort to make front line ser- vices more available; and Q An increase in the use of the latest technology, to help pro- vide quicker and better service, and avoid duplication of ser- vices. Prior to Mr. Rock's speech, Durham MP Alex Shepherd also noted that money isn't the answer to Canada's complicated health care system. "It's not about money, it's about how health care is orga- nized in the provinces. More money won't necessarily make a better health care system," said Mr. Shepherd. He noted that Canada is the fourth-largest spender on health care in the world, but only ranked 18th when it came to pro- viding services. "There's something wrong with the system when you see those numbers," he said. 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